A thread of hope as world’s first ‘spider proof’ shed launched

A shed company might have the answer to all arachnophobe garden nightmares with what it claims is the world’s first spider-proof shed.

A new survey has revealed that 25% of the British public admit they are too scared to venture into their sheds due to arachnophobia.

When we find one (spider) at home, we always call it Christopher. It changes the way you view it

Sara Goodacre, Nottingham University

So Yorkshire-based Tiger Sheds has launched a product, on sale at £1999, which they claim guarantees to keep eight legged creatures out, following several customer requests for a spider-proof outbuilding.

It contains a whole host of anti-spider features, including:

- All joints silicone sealed to ensure no gaps and cracks.

- Airtight windows with toughened glass and an airtight door with special draft seal.

- Interior lined with spider repellent lining paper to stop spiders coming in through the cladding.

- Impregnated wood - option to have the wood the shed is constructed from impregnated with peppermint, citrus and insecticide (scents proven to repel eight-legged creatures).

- A creepy crawly den, a specially designed box that’s dark inside and comes complete with holes and cracks for spiders to crawl into that sits beside the shed and attracts spiders away from the outbuilding.

- A pest test carried out every six months by a fully trained member of the Tiger Sheds team.

Hannah Moore, spokesperson for Tiger Sheds, said: “We had several requests for a spider-proof shed from people too afraid to venture into their outbuildings in case spiders were lurking, so we decided to conduct some research into how many Brits this fear actually affected.

“Surprisingly, a quarter of those surveyed* admitted they avoid their sheds and outbuildings due to a fear of spiders!

“Obviously we wanted to help these people and make them feel comfortable enough to enter their sheds once more, which is why we decided to create the worlds first spider proof shed.

“We spent a lot of time researching spider deterrents. We hope this new product helps arachnophobes across the country enjoy their garden sheds once more!”

Nottingham University’s Sara Goodacre, who has studied the behaviour of spiders, is sceptical of the idea of proofing a shed, arguing insecticide sprays are “incredibly good at killing spiders”, but it’s probably more humane to trap and release them if they’re found in a shed or a home.

Goodacre added that arachnophobia is largely a “learned” behaviour that can be dealt with psychologically: “when you see a spider in your home or shed, give it a name.

“When we find one at home, we always call it Christopher. It changes the way you view it. Spiders get a little bit less scary if they have a name.”